When a new crater opened at Geldingadalir valley at Reykjanes Peninsula on April 19th, people flocked to the location. It was a small eruption with a small lava flow, ideal for visiting. The crater splashed glowing red magma in all directions and formed a river of fire. Lava carpet started to cover the bottom of the valley. It is also stunning to see how the magma solidifies at the surface and how the crater starts you build up and increase its height. The lava around the crater and each side of the glowing river began to take on fascinating forms as the viscosity is high and the formation slow.
It is a sight that is difficult to experience in any other place on the planet. Every movement becomes a work of art, forming strings, curves, lines, and sculptures within the gray and black solidifying lava. No wonder people were mesmerized and wanted to get closer and closer to this powerful natural force. The rhythm of the splash and how the vent exhaled was frightening as it sometimes extended to heights far above the crater. When it fell on the side of the crater, it formed a glowing carpet, but only for a few minutes. It is like witnessing Mother Nature in her most creative mood. Like she is offering us to join her in her studio and experience how she creates.
And in a matter of days, the small valley Geldingadalir disappears and is filled with lava of infinitive formation. In the process, Mother Nature continues to open new vents, new craters, a new construction, and poring her glowing rivers to other valleys around Geldingadalir. When standing in front of the tremendous force and creativity, the experience is beyond anything you can ever whiteness.
What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
On the one hand, the rare opportunity to photograph a new crater that Mother Nature is constructing. On the other hand, how relaxed or mesmerized the people around the crater are even though the danger is severe.
If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?
I would possibly have waited a bit longer to get a bigger splash and more people by the crater.
Einar Pall Svavarsson shared this photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Einar Pall Svavarsson, Reykjavik, Iceland
Equipment and settings
Nikon D850, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
ISO 64, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/800 sec. Lightroom for processing.
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